formula for trifecta and first4

[marksman]

I am new to this site and wondering if anyone has the formula for determining a trifecta payout and a first4 payout.

I currently have one formula for the trifecta which is: (H1 x [(H1 x H2) - 1] x (H3 + 1)/(H1 + 1)) - 1, where H1,H2 and H3 are the odds for the selected runners.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct, and any takers for the first4 formula?

Any assistance provided to a frustrated mathematically-challenged punter would be appreciated.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marksman on 2003-07-13 14:14 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marksman on 2003-07-13 14:20 ]</font>

[osulldj]

marksman,

There is no real way to determine the payout for trifectas and first 4's with any type of reliability.

The dividends for trifectas and first4's are not based on the win dividends of each horse. They are based on the number of winning combinations in the relevant pool. Whatever is left of the pool after the TAB takes it's cut is divided by the number of winning combinations and that's the dividend.